Prince William knights doctor who delivered Prince George

Prince William had knighted Sir Marcus Setchell, the doctor who delivered Prince George, today at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

The now retired doctor received his insignia as a Knight Commander of the Victorian Order on Tuesday afternoon.

Sir Marcus helped deliver Prince George in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in July last year. At the time of his birth, George weighed a healthy 8lb 6oz.

The retired doctor has been treating the Royal Family for many years now. At the beginning of the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy, she suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum and Sir Marcus helped treat her then.

In addition to George, he delivered the Earl and Countess of Wessex’s children, Lady Louise Windsor and Lord Severn.

The knighthood is in recognition of his services to the Royal Household for over more than two decades – the Royal Victorian Order, which rewards personal service to the Monarch, is given out at The Queen’s own pleasure, not by the Government like the Order of the British Empire.

After over twenty years serving as The Queen’s surgeon-gynaecologist, Sir Marcus retired earlier this month. He had worked for the NHS until 2008 when he started practising privately. He joked that he may come out of retirement to deliver any other babies the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may have.

This will be one of the small number of investitures Prince William has presided over; his first was in October of last year. The Queen often presents honours to people but occasionally other members of the Royal Family act on her behalf.

Contrary to popular belief, the words ‘Arise, Sir’ after the dubbing are not used.